Can I get life insurance if I participate in a dangerous sport?
When you apply for life insurance you will be asked a set of questions regarding your health and leisure activities. The answers to these questions will determine the risk you pose to the insurance provider and could result in you having to pay an increased premium, or in extreme cases, may result in you being declined cover.
Some of the questions will be concerning your lifestyle and whether you participate in any dangerous pursuits.
What type of pursuits are considered high risk?
The types of hazardous pursuits or extreme sports considered a higher risk will vary from one insurance company to another.
Generally speaking, participation in the following pursuits or sports could result in an increased premium or even being declined life insurance cover.
- sky diving
- hang gliding
- piloting a private aircraft
- hot air ballooning
- cave or wreck diving
- mountaineering
- competition boxing
- competitive martial arts
- motorsports
This is not an exhaustive list and other pursuits may be considered high risk by some insurance providers.
How will the risk be assessed if I participate in a dangerous pursuit?
Insurance companies assess individuals based on risk and consider a number of factors, including:
- What hazardous pursuit you engage in
- How often you participate - weekly, monthly, occasionally
- At what level you participate - i.e. how competitive it is
- Do you belong to a governing body which oversees safety
- Are you fit and healthy
- Age
- Any qualifications you may have, such as the level of PADI certificate you hold for scuba diving
Will I be able to obtain life insurance cover if I participate in a dangerous pursuit?
Insurance companies are likely to offer cover in most cases but, depending on the pursuit, may do so with an increased premium. There are insurance companies who specialise in covering certain dangerous pursuits. By covering a large number of participants, these companies are able to attain extensive knowledge of the risks involved and so can calculate the risk more accurately.
Where is the best place to search for life insurance if I participate in a dangerous pursuit?
I suggest you speak to a life insurance specialist who has experience of how each insurer will treat your chosen sport or dangerous activity. They will be best placed to recommend the best company to apply to for your set of circumstances. I have personally vetted the services of LifeSearch, a specialist independent life insurance broker* and they are the experts in their field. Additionally, if you decide to take cover via the link above, you will qualify for £50 cashback.
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Always be honest when completing any insurance application form and provide as much detail as possible. Lack of detail will often result in a higher premium as the provider will assess the risk only on the information provided. Omitting key information could also negate the policy if a claim is ever made.
Further reading:
Complete guide to Life Insurance – and how much you need
How can I reduce my life insurance premiums?
Critical Illness Insurance – what is it, and is it worth having?
If a link has an * beside it this means that it is an affiliated link. If you go via the link, Money to the Masses may receive a small fee which helps keep Money to the Masses free to use. The following link can be used if you do not wish to help Money to the Masses and do not wish to qualify for the cashback referred to in the article – LifeSearch
(Image: Dominic Harness)
